It's the Law: Required Equipment
Sound-Producing Devices
A sound-producing device is required on all waters. It is
essential during periods of reduced visibility. 
- The sound-producing device must be audible for one-half mile.
- Vessels less than 65.6 feet in length (including PWCs, sailboats, and manually powered vessels) are required to carry on board a mouth-, hand-, or power-operated whistle or horn, or some other means to make an efficient sound signal.
- Vessels 65.6 feet or more in length are
required to carry on board a whistle or horn, and a bell.
- No vessel may be equipped with a siren, except vessels
used by law enforcement officers.
Sound Signals
Some common sound signals that you should be familiar with as a recreational boater are as follows.
Changing Direction
- One short blast tells other boaters “I intend to pass you on my port (left) side.”
- Two short blasts tell other boaters “I intend to pass you on my starboard (right) side.”
- Three short blasts tell other boaters “I am backing up.”
Restricted Visibility
- One prolonged blast at intervals of not more than two minutes is the signal used by power-driven vessels when underway.
- One prolonged plus two short blasts at intervals of not more than two minutes is the signal used by sailing vessels.
Warning
- One prolonged blast is a warning signal (for example, used when coming around a blind bend or exiting a slip).
- Five (or more) short, rapid blasts signal danger or signal that you do not understand or that you disagree with the other boater’s intentions.
Visual Distress Signals (VDSs)
Visual Distress Signals (VDSs) allow vessel operators to signal
for help in the event of an emergency.
- Vessels used on Washington's coastal waters, the Strait of Juan de Fuca east to Puget Sound, and the northern tip of the Kitsap Peninsula at Foul Weather Bluff must be equipped with visual distress signals that are U.S. Coast Guard–approved, in serviceable condition, and readily accessible.
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All vessels on coastal waters, regardless of length or type, are required to carry night signals when operating between sunset and sunrise. Most vessels on coastal waters must carry day signals also; exceptions to the requirement for day signals are:
- Recreational vessels that are less than 16 feet in length
- Non-motorized open sailboats that are less than 26 feet
in length
- Manually propelled vessels
- VDSs are not required to be carried on Washington's inland waters, but they are strongly recommended.
- If pyrotechnic VDSs are used, a minimum of three must
be carried in the vessel. Pyrotechnic devices have an expiration
date and may not be used after that date.
- The following combinations of signals are examples of
VDSs that could be carried on board to satisfy U.S. Coast Guard requirements:
- Three handheld red flares (day and night)
- One handheld red flare and two red meteors (day and
night)
- One handheld orange smoke signal (day), two floating
orange smoke signals (day), and one electric light (night
only)
- It is prohibited to display visual distress signals while
on the water unless assistance is required to prevent
immediate or potential danger to persons on board.
VDSs are classified as day signals (visible in bright sunlight),
night signals (visible at night), or both day and night
signals. VDSs are either pyrotechnic (smoke and flames) or
non-pyrotechnic (non-combustible).
Pyrotechnic Visual Distress Signals
Orange Smoke
Day Signal
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Red Meteor
Day and Night Signal
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Red Flare
Day and Night Signal |
Non-Pyrotechnic Visual Distress Signals
Electric Light
Night Signal |
Orange Flag
Day Signal
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Arm Signal
Although this signal does not meet VDS equipment requirements, wave your arms to summon help if you do not have other distress signals on board. |
Coastal Waters
- The U.S. waters of the Great Lakes
- The territorial seas of the United States
- Waters (such as bays, sounds, harbors, rivers, inlets, etc.) which are more than two miles wide and are connected directly to one of the above
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